Ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing device

Abstract

A family of ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing devices are disclosed. In the case of an ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing device, a wavelength division multiplexing device is used for combining at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a corresponding at least one single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, wherein the wavelength division multiplexing device has an input element and an output element. A plurality of optical input devices is disposed proximate the input element, wherein each of the plurality of optical input devices communicates a plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the wavelength division multiplexing device for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam. A corresponding plurality of optical output devices is disposed proximate the output element, wherein each of the plurality of optical output devices receives a corresponding single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing device comprising: 
       a wavelength division multiplexing device for combining at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a corresponding at least one single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam, the wavelength division multiplexing device having an input element and an output element;  
       a plurality of optical input devices disposed proximate the input element, each of the plurality of optical input devices for communicating a plurality of monochromatic optical beams to the wavelength division multiplexing device for combining the plurality of monochromatic optical beams into a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam; and  
       a corresponding plurality of optical output devices disposed proximate the output element, each of the plurality of optical output devices for receiving a corresponding single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.  
     
     
       2. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength division multiplexing device comprises: 
       a diffraction grating for combining the at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams into the corresponding at least one single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam.  
     
     
       3. The device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the diffraction grating is a reflective diffraction grating oriented at the Littrow diffraction angle. 
     
     
       4. The device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the diffraction grating is a transmissive diffraction grating. 
     
     
       5. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the input element is a collimating lens. 
     
     
       6. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the input element is a boot lens. 
     
     
       7. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the output element is a focusing lens. 
     
     
       8. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the output element is a boot lens. 
     
     
       9. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical input devices is a plurality of input fiber coupling devices, wherein each of the plurality of input fiber coupling devices is arranged into an array of optical fibers, each of the optical fibers for transmitting a monochromatic optical beam to the wavelength division multiplexing device. 
     
     
       10. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical input devices is a plurality of laser diode coupling devices, wherein each of the plurality of laser diode coupling devices is arranged into an array of laser diodes, each of the laser diodes for transmitting a monochromatic optical beam to the wavelength division multiplexing device. 
     
     
       11. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical output devices is a plurality of output fiber coupling devices, wherein each of the plurality of output fiber coupling devices maintains at least one optical fiber, each optical fiber for receiving a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam from the wavelength division multiplexing device. 
     
     
       12. An ultra-dense wavelength division demultiplexing device comprising: 
       a wavelength division demultiplexing device for separating at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into a corresponding at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams, the wavelength division demultiplexing device having an input element and an output element;  
       a plurality of optical input devices disposed proximate the input element, each of the plurality of optical input devices for communicating a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to the wavelength division demultiplexing device for separating the single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into a plurality of monochromatic optical beams; and  
       a corresponding plurality of optical output devices disposed proximate the output element, each of the plurality of optical output devices for receiving a corresponding plurality of monochromatic optical beams.  
     
     
       13. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the wavelength division demultiplexing device comprises: 
       a diffraction grating for separating the at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into the corresponding at least one plurality of monochromatic optical beams.  
     
     
       14. The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the diffraction grating is a reflective diffraction grating oriented at the Littrow diffraction angle. 
     
     
       15. The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the diffraction grating is a transmissive diffraction grating. 
     
     
       16. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the input element is a collimating lens. 
     
     
       17. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the input element is a boot lens. 
     
     
       18. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the output element is a focusing lens. 
     
     
       19. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the output element is a boot lens. 
     
     
       20. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of optical input devices is a plurality of input fiber coupling devices, wherein each of the plurality of input fiber coupling devices maintains at least one optical fiber, each optical fiber for transmitting a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam to the wavelength division demultiplexing device. 
     
     
       21. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of optical output devices is a plurality of output fiber coupling devices, wherein each of the plurality of output fiber coupling devices is arranged into an array of optical fibers, each of the optical fibers for receiving a monochromatic optical beam from the wavelength division demultiplexing device. 
     
     
       22. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of optical output devices is a plurality of photodetector coupling devices, wherein each of the plurality of photodetector coupling devices is arranged into an array of photodetectors, each of the photodetectors for receiving a monochromatic optical beam from the wavelength division demultiplexing device. 
     
     
       23. The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is at least two multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams, further comprising: 
       a splitter for splitting a single, pre-split, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into the at least two multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams.  
     
     
       24. The device as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the single, pre-split, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is split equally. 
     
     
       25. The device as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the single, pre-split, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is split unequally. 
     
     
       26. The device as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the single, pre-split, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is split according to beam wavelengths. 
     
     
       27. The device as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the single, pre-split, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam is split according to beam intensity. 
     
     
       28. A method for increasing channel throughput in a wavelength division demultiplexing device, the method comprising the steps of: 
       splitting a single, multiplexed, polychromatic optical beam into at least two multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams; and  
       simultaneously separating each of the at least two multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams into a corresponding at least two pluralities of monochromatic optical beams.  
     
     
       29. The method as defined in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of: 
       collimating each of the at least two multiplexed, polychromatic optical beams.  
     
     
       30. The method as defined in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of: 
       focusing the corresponding at least two pluralities of monochromatic optical beams.